988368
Wed, Jul 29, 2026
Volume 24, Issue 2 (June 2026)
Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2026, 24(2): 219-230 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Julianti H P, Hadisaputro S, Susanto H, Tulaar A B M, Hermawan A S P. Correlation Between Pain, Disability, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life in Patients With Low Back Pain. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2026; 24 (2) :219-230
URL: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2631-en.html
URL: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2631-en.html
Hari Peni Julianti *1 
, Soeharyo Hadisaputro2 , Hardhono Susanto2 , Angela Bibiana Maria Tulaar3 , Amanda Surya Putri Hermawan4
, Soeharyo Hadisaputro2 , Hardhono Susanto2 , Angela Bibiana Maria Tulaar3 , Amanda Surya Putri Hermawan4
1- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Indonesia.
2- Department of Medical and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Indonesia.
3- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Kota Depok, Indonesia.
4- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Indonesia.
2- Department of Medical and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Indonesia.
3- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Kota Depok, Indonesia.
4- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Indonesia.
Abstract: (1824 Views)
Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) accounts for the majority of the global burden of musculoskeletal diseases and has been shown to affect an individual’s quality of life. Chronic LBP can affect physical and mental health (MH) and increase the burden of a country’s healthcare through direct or indirect costs. This study aimed to examine the correlation between pain, disability, and psychological distress with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in LBP patients.
Methods: This study involved 74 patients with LBP. Pain intensity, disability, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), and quality of life were measured using the visual analog scale, oswestry disability index, depression anxiety stress scales 42, and short form 36 questionnaires. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses.
Results: Pain intensity showed a moderate negative correlation with HRQoL domains, strongest for bodily pain (BP) (r=–0.589, P<0.001) and general health (GH) (r=–0.517, P<0.001). Disability demonstrated the strongest correlations overall, particularly with physical function (r=–0.702, P<0.001) and physical component summary (PCS) (r=–0.688, P<0.001), indicating that functional limitation has the greatest impact on quality of life. Psychological distress was also correlated negatively with HRQoL; anxiety (r=–0.479, P<0.001) and depression (r=–0.421, P<0.001) were most strongly related to vitality (VT) and MH domains. These findings show that pain, disability, and emotional distress collectively contribute to HRQoL reduction among LBP patients.
Discussion: Pain, disability, and psychological distress are interrelated determinants of HRQoL in patients with LBP. Integrating pain management, functional rehabilitation, and psychological support is essential to improve overall patient well-being.
Methods: This study involved 74 patients with LBP. Pain intensity, disability, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), and quality of life were measured using the visual analog scale, oswestry disability index, depression anxiety stress scales 42, and short form 36 questionnaires. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses.
Results: Pain intensity showed a moderate negative correlation with HRQoL domains, strongest for bodily pain (BP) (r=–0.589, P<0.001) and general health (GH) (r=–0.517, P<0.001). Disability demonstrated the strongest correlations overall, particularly with physical function (r=–0.702, P<0.001) and physical component summary (PCS) (r=–0.688, P<0.001), indicating that functional limitation has the greatest impact on quality of life. Psychological distress was also correlated negatively with HRQoL; anxiety (r=–0.479, P<0.001) and depression (r=–0.421, P<0.001) were most strongly related to vitality (VT) and MH domains. These findings show that pain, disability, and emotional distress collectively contribute to HRQoL reduction among LBP patients.
Discussion: Pain, disability, and psychological distress are interrelated determinants of HRQoL in patients with LBP. Integrating pain management, functional rehabilitation, and psychological support is essential to improve overall patient well-being.
Article type: Original Research Articles |
Subject:
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Received: 2025/11/15 | Accepted: 2026/03/28 | Published: 2026/04/1
Received: 2025/11/15 | Accepted: 2026/03/28 | Published: 2026/04/1
Send email to the article author
Copyright © The Author(s);
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 (CC-By-NC 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Contact Information
